October is Fall Prevention Month

Marin's Older Adult Community Connection Since 1954
Whistlestop
E PRESS
OCTOBER 2012
Whistlestop.org
Films Can Enrich Lives of Marin’s Older Adults
By JOHN BOWMAN
O
lder adults in Marin County are looking for something more in films than
what is usually offered in mass-market
movies at the multiplexes. That is the opinion
of Mark Fishkin, founding executive director
of the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Whistlestop Express interviewed Fishkin
as he was busy preparing for the 35th annual
festival.
Whistlestop Express: What does the Film
Festival have to offer older adults?
Fishkin: “We have a sophisticated, active
older adult community,” Fishkin said. “They
are looking for more in-depth films and content — for films that enrich their lives. We
have filmmakers present at many of the films
during the festival, engaging the audiences
in conversation, making for a more complete,
satisfying experience. Marin County is aging
— fortunately for us, many of the characteristics of our festival films feature universal
stories that are emblematic of the seniors in
the county.
“We have a membership price as well as a
senior price, which is competitive. This year
we are also scheduling earlier shows on Columbus Day and the second Friday of the
festival,” Fishkin added.
Whistlestop Express: What inspired you to
start the MVFF?
Fishkin: “In 1977, I had just moved to Marin
County. I was cognizant of the prolific artistic
CFI Board
Member Focuses
on Youth
page 2
Mark Fishkin, Film Festival visionary
community in residence, and was appalled
that many filmmakers were not having their
work screened in any meaningful context.
The town of Mill Valley is beautiful and oozes
charm; I was reflecting on all of this, having just returned from the budding Telluride
Film Festival.
“The local film community at the time was
coming into its own. George Lucas was here,
as well as Michael Ritchie, Larry Jordan,
and many others. John Korty had an office in
Mill Valley. Carroll Ballard was using George
Lucas’ estate to edit The Black Stallion. There
were the small local filmmakers as well, like
James Broughton, who we honored at the first
Mill Valley
continued on page 6
Fine Art with
Your iPhone
page 5
October is Fall
Prevention
Month
page 12
Table of
CONTENTS
3
4
5
7/8/9
10
11
12
12
13
14
15
Grandkids Photo
From Rocky's Pantry
Rocky Packard
iPhonography
Whistlestop Classes
Activities Calendar
The Bird's Side of Marin
Richard Pavek
Multicultural News
Vicky Voicehowsky & Sandra Jimenez
Fall Prevention Month
Board Column
Terry Scussel
Grand Mom
Audrey Mettel Fixmer
Word Search Puzzle
LIKE US on Facebook
Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.
930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901
Chief Executive Officer, Joe O’Hehir
Board of Directors
President, Dennis Thompson
Vice President, Terry Scussel
Treasurer, Michael Rice
Secretary, Michael Hingson
Karen Arnold • Liza Cozad • Eleanor Delaney
Venessa Dixon • Jane Lott • Debbie Mills
Lori Peterson • Bill Saul • Lenice Smith • Bob Sonnenberg
Whistlestop Express is a publication of the Marin
Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3
not-for-profit organization.
The Mission of Whistlestop:
Whistlestop believes that we share a responsibility to
ensure that all Marin residents have an opportunity to age
with dignity, grace and independence.
Whistlestop Contact Information
Main Number 415-456-9062
Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858
www.whistlestop.org
Information & Referral Office
415-459-6700 • [email protected]
Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & Sales
John & Val Bowman Editors
916-751-9189 • [email protected]
Missy Reynolds Art Director
[email protected]
Advertising
Linda Black • 415-485-6700, Ext. 306
Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper
To be added to, or taken off, the email list for
Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062.
Or send an email, with your request, your name and
address to [email protected].
Subscriptions mailed to your home are $10/year.
2
Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
Whistlestop PERSPECTIVE
by JOHN BOWMA N
Film Festival Volunteers
Become a ‘Unified Family’
J
ennifer MacCready of Mill
Valley, a Whistlestop donor,
sees her involvement with
the Mill Valley Film Festival and
its parent organization, the California Film Institute, as being
part of a “unified family.”
She has volunteered in several
positions for 20 years – from
usher to ticket taker – and for
the past six years has been on
the CFI Board. “Working as an
usher was as much fun as being
on the Board,” she said. “It’s
working with all of the other
people involved that brings me so
much happiness.”
She has contributed to Whistlestop because she values the
myriad services it provides the
community. “I really believe in
Whistlestop. I especially like
Whistlestop Express because
it documents the lives of older
adults and shows how so many
people are active and vibrant. I
send the Birds page to friends
of mine who are homebound
because I know they will appreciate it and they love the
photos. And while I have not
been in need of their services up
to now, I love seeing the buses
going about and knowing they
are available. Also, many of my
friends now have iPhones and
iPads after taking computer
classes at Whistlestop.”
Jennifer was never an actor,
but was a model as a young
woman and has a passion for
film, particularly foreign and
independent films. She marvels
at what has happened with the
Mill Valley Film Festival over
the past 35 years. “It’s all due to
Mark Fishkin – his vision, his
dream and
his creativity,” she said.
“It’s remarkable what he
has achieved
here.”
Her strongest interest Jennifer MacCready
currently is
with Glenn Close and
with the Cali- Robin Williams.
fornia Film
Institute’s educational program, where young
people – many of them from the
Canal area – tell their poignant
stories in three-minute shorts.
They are shown before major
film showings by CFI throughout the year. She noted that the
festival audience is aging, and
she believes it’s essential to involve younger people so that the
volunteer and financial support
for the festival is sustained for
generations to come.
Jennifer presented the Board
with the idea to show young
people’s film shorts at major film
showings throughout the year,
but she credits John Morrison
and John McCloud with coming up with the original idea for
CFI Education. They also teach
the young filmmakers how to
make these films. For the young
people, the experience is often cathartic because theirs are stories
of sorrow, separation and hope.
Jennifer was on the committee
that is overseeing the remodeling
of a room next door to the theater that will be used for parties,
receptions and other festivalrelated activities. The room was
dedicated to Fishkin at an opening reception on Sept. 19. ✦
Truly Personal Care
Take a warm environment. Add a time-honored tradition
of care. Blend with just the right level of support. These
are the ingredients that make up AlmaVia of San Rafael,
a loving senior community devoted to meeting the needs
of older adults, with respect and compassion.
Schedule a tour and have lunch on us!
415.233.6095
515 Northgate Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
www.almaviaofsanrafael.org
AlmaVia of San Rafael, an Elder Care Alliance community is cosponsored by the Sisters of
Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 216801868.
In-Home Senior Care
See the koala? This is the first of our Marin grandkids photos.
Do You Have a Photo of
Your Grandkids to Share?
S
an Rafael’s Ethel Seiderman’s grandsons,
Ethan, 12, left, and Noah, 9, make friends
with a Koala at Skenes Creek, near Apollo Bay
in the State of Victoria, Australia.
Whistlestop Express invites you to send in a
photo of your grandchildren for consideration.
We would like to receive photos of Marin
County residents’ grandkids doing something
unusual. If it is in an interesting or exotic
place, all the better.
Please send us your digital photograph as a jpeg
to: John Bowman, co-editor, at john.bowman58@
gmail.com.
We will consider your photo for publication.
Please be sure to tell us where and when the
photo was taken. ✦
Th e Righ t Care
for Every Client
we Ser ve!
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services that help seniors live safe, happy
and independent lives in the
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whistlestop.org 3
From Rocky's PANTRY
b y R O C K Y PA C K A R D
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his is a refreshing
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entrée or a simple lunch with
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Slice the cucumbers lengthwise, then with
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mixing well. Optional: garnish with chopped
peanuts. ✦
New Views of The Redwoods
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2
Arts, Crafts Abound at
Whistlestop
Visiting Angels® Can
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Assessments are Performed by a Qualified R.N.
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Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
Women in Vicky Voicehowsky’s arts and crafts class proudly display
their handiwork. From left are Michelle Gantos, Irma Wessels,
Francis Lara and Mercedes Cari.
415-499-1200
JMHOMECARECOM
Marian Yamate’s house — playful and bright with a touch of glitter!
Creating Fine Art
with Your iPhone
B y VA L B O W M A N
You’re Never Alone
with Lifeline®
“I depend on Lifeline. It has
saved my life several times."
es."
Johanna
nna
G
ail Pierce’s photography practice
began 16 years
ago around her 60th
birthday. Since then,
she has studied with a
variety of professionals to help her find her
own style. She became
comfortable with the
various digital computer
programs, which allowed
her to capture images
with her camera, and to
recreate and print with an Epson 3800 ink jet
printer to produce fine art.
With the introduction of iPhones, photography
has taken a new direction called iPhonography,
which has now become her passion. This year,
Gail won a prize
in the Whistlestop Express/
Pacific Sun
photo contest,
the only winner
to use iPhonography.
Gail teaches
classes on how
to create images
with the iPhone
to produce Fine
Art. She lives
in San Anselmo
and works two
days a week in
Sausalito, as a
dental hygienist at Dr. Davey’s office on Caledonia St. She’s
been in the practice 46 years. She also rents
a studio in Sausalito and sends out emails
about her photography classes, which she limits to eight to 10 people. You can reach her at
[email protected].
Classes are $75 for 3 hours. If you are interested in taking an iPhonography class at Whistlestop, call 456-9062. ✦
Lifeline with AutoAlert® provides
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whistlestop.org 5
Computers Made Easy
25OFF!
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Contact Debbie:
(415)475-1930
[email protected]
www.made-easy.net
Personalized, One-on-One Tutoring
Mac & PC • Serving Marin
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Limit 1 coupon per customer.
Not valid with other offers.
Exp. 10/31/12
Helping with:
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• Internet
• Smart Phones
• Social Networking
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Whistlestop Express
www.MarinAccess.org
OCTOBER 2012
continued from page 1
Film Festival in
1978. We have
a lways had a
deep relationship with our
local filmmakers. It was such
an exciting
time. There
was a huge
void to be
filled, and so
I, and a group
of dedicated
volunteers,
leaped over
the chasm
to create
what is the
Mill Valley Film Festival.
Whistlestop Express: What is the greatest
challenge to keeping the festival going?
Fishkin: “There has been a proliferation of
film festivals in the past decade. Where there
were once just a few, now there are hundreds
of festivals and this can make it more difficult
for programming. We are sandwiched between
two giants, Sundance and Toronto, but what
we offer is uniquely different. The important
thing is to make yourself distinctive, and to
identify the traits that make you stand out
from the others. We have always distinguished
ourselves as a filmmakers’ festival, making
visiting filmmakers feel at home and supporting their work, as well as supporting our loyal
constituency.
“We are so fortunate to live in a community
that supports what we do on a year-round
basis. The largest capital campaign for the
arts in Marin County history was mounted
to restore the Christopher B. Smith Rafael
Film Center, our year-round cinematheque in
downtown San Rafael, to the showcase that it
is today. We show diverse programming year
round, not just during the 11 days of the festival. This sets us apart from other festivals.” ✦
The Mill Valley Film Festival runs from October
4 to 14, and you can find more information at
mvff.com
Keep Learning at WHISTLESTOP
For a complete list of classes, visit whistlestop.org
ADVANCED ENGLISH CONVERSATION
Wednesdays • 1-2pm
Fee: Free | Registration: Vicky Voicehowsky,
457-0586
This class is for non-native English speakers who desire
to improve their language skills. The class will focus on
advanced levels of listening and conversation skills,
English slang and humor, as well as common idioms.
NEW! BEADING CLASS
Third Wednesday of every month,
starting October 17 •1:30-2:45pm
Fee: $5 per class (includes materials) due prior to class |
Maximum space available: 10-12 people
Registration required: 457-0586
Maria Barsesat, local bead artist,,
will show you how to make
beautiful, simple and easy
jewelry items for yourself or
as gifts.
FRIDAY FLICKS (Movies are subject to change.)
Fridays • 1:30pm
e.
Fee: $5 | Location: in the Lounge.
Oct. 5: Bernie (2011, comedy)
Oct. 12: The Three Stooges (2012,
comedy)
Oct. 19: Casa de mi Padre (2012,
comedy in Spanish and English)
Oct. 26: Don’t Be Afraid of the
Dark (2012, horror for Halloween))
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Not to be
missed FREE
seminars!
2012
Blue Door
Seminar Schedule
1003 Third Street, San Rafael
OCTOBER 17
2pm - 4:30pm
CARING FOR YOU
& HELPING YOU
FIND YOUR
RETIREMENT HOME
OCTOBER 25
Noon - 6pm
4TH ANNUAL
MARIN SYMPOSIUM
FOR ESTATE
PLANNING
ADVISORS
NOVEMBER 14
2pm - 4:30pm
ADVOCATING
YOUR HEALTHCARE:
LEGAL & PRACTICAL
ALTERNATIVES
FOR YOU
& YOUR AGENT
Presented by
Producer: J.R. Hastings Law
Location: Four Points Sheraton
Reserve a Seat Today on Our Website at
www.jrhastingslaw.com/event.php
or Telephone 415-459-6635
whistlestop.org 7
Keep Learning at WHISTLESTOP
For a complete list of classes, visit whistlestop.org
DROP-IN COMPUTER LAB
Mondays • 10am-Noon & Wednesdays • 10am-Noon
Need help using a computer? We have volunteer
computer tutors available to work with you
one-on-one, if needed.
COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS
Beginning: 1st Friday • 2-4pm
Adv. 2nd Friday • 2-4pm
Fee: $15 | Instructor: Gene Dyer
Registration required: 459-6700
Call for more information and class descriptions.
BEGINNING COMPUTERS FOR ADULTS LEVEL II
Thursdays, Oct. 25 - Dec. 6 • 10am-Noon
Instructor: Ed Essick
Fee: $50/6 weeks; Bring a friend, they pay $25
Pre-registration required: 459-6700
This is a hands-on course for those with basic
computer skills who want to gain more experience
in using a Windows-based computer. This class
builds upon the skills learned in Beginning
Computers for Adults Level.
FREE BLOOD
PRESSURE
CLINIC &
MEDICATION CHECKS
Tuesday, Oct. 9 & 23
11:30am-1pm
Facilitators:
Student Nurses from
Dominican University
Drop-in
Bring all of your medications
and supplements to find out how and when to
take them, how to store them, side effects and
interactions with other drugs. Don’t miss this
opportunity to prevent health problems by keeping
your blood pressure and meds in check!
Marin County Commission on Aging
Thursday, October 11 • 10:00-12:30 pm
Where:Dance Palace–Church Auditorium, West Marin
Topic: Nutrition Services in West Marin
Speakers: Panel of West Marin Senior Services,
Revolution Foods and Marin Food Bank
8
Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
GOING PLACES
Marin YMCA and Whistlestop would like to invite
you to join Adventures in Culture. Living in the San
Francisco Bay Area, there are many points of interest to visit. The Y plans older adult trips to different
locations such as museums, attractions, gardens,
and much more. To register for a trip or hike, please
contact Lisa O’Brien,
MARIN YMCA, 492-9622.
RING MOUNTAIN, EAST OF CORTE MADERA
Wednesday, Oct. 10 • Departs 9:30am, returns 3pm
Fee: $5. This 600-foot high peak is home to the
Tiburon Mariposa Lily, unique to this site. Hopefully,
some will be in bloom for us. We start near the
top, so there is a climb of 100 feet, then we roam
the highlands, taking in the great views and
petroglyphs, before descending by the Lily area,
one-way, down. Bring a lunch.
RUSH CREEK
Wednesday, Oct. 31 | Fee: $5
A nice, flat walk by some wetlands in Novato that usually contain a variety of water birds (bring binoculars). We
will go about 1-1/2 miles, then do a 1-mile loop around
a pond, eating our picnic lunches at an overlook, then
return the way we came.
V
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Debbie at 456-9062 or
C
p
[email protected]
• Board/Card Game Leaders • Chiropractor
• French Social Group Leader
• Russian Social Group Leader
• Bi-lingual Computer Teacher
• Jackson Café Volunteers needed to serve food
in the Jackson Cafe at least one day a week from
11am to 2:15pm.
• Center Service volunteer needed to answer
phones and do various office duties. Computer
experience a plus, but not required. Volunteer is
needed from 11am to 1pm, with some flexibility.
• Whistlestop would like to start a sewing group
We need a volunteer to coordinate the group,
participants, sewing machines and supplies.
Volunteer Drivers for Meals on Wheels
Program Contact Raphael Krantz at 454-0969
• Tax Preparer volunteers needed to help older
adults and low- income families with their Federal
and State Income Tax returns. To assist requires
use of a Computer-based Tax Wise Software
(provided by IRS). Volunteers will complete
a training course in January and become IRS
certified to prepare taxes. Tax season is February
to April, 2013.
IN-KIND DONATIONS NEEDED
Mah Jongg sets, books, yarn, sewing supplies, movies
on DVD and exercise mats. If you have items to donate,
please call Debbie at 456-9062.
ZUMBA GOLD
Thursdays & Fridays • 11am-Noon
Fee: $6/class | Instructor: Angela Jakab-Miller
Zumba is a great way to stay fit and active. Fun,
motivating combination of Latin-inspired music and
dance steps guaranteed to get you moving. Zumba
movements are easy-to-follow and for all activity
levels. Bring water and a small towel.
WEAVING YOUR HERITAGE
Tuesdays, Oct. 9, 16 & 23 • 10:30-1:30pm
Pre-registration required: 456-9062
(Maximum 10 people per class)
Join us for an exciting new program offered at the Cedars Textile Art Center. Bring your lunch to enjoy in the
garden. Create beautiful textiles. Transportation will
be available from Whistlestop to The Cedars Textile Art
Center. Materials included.
SENIORS RESOURCE FORUM PRESENTS: UPDATE
ON YOUR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
Friday, Oct. 12 • 2-4pm
Fee: Free | Suzanne Schneider, CEBS, CLTC
To register: 456-9062/Questions: 459-0413
Should you change your Medicare plan during 2013?
Schneider Insurance Services has over 25 years as an
insurance broker, providing valuable assistance in
helping seniors understand their Medicare options.
Our team will be there with expert Suzanne
Schneider giving you the inside scoop on Part D. Learn
how to figure out if you should change your plan;
why some plans are more or less expensive; should
you have deductibles or not; does the plan you are
interested in cover your medications? What happens
if you didn’t sign up when you were first eligible to
enroll? No sales pitches. This is clear information from a
non-profit organization.
Seniors Resource Forum will be present with six
professional, expert volunteers available for free,
private, 20-minute consultations after the presentation
in the following areas: Estate Planning/Medi-Cal and VA
Benefits Planning • Family Legal Issues • Seniors Mental
Health • Home Care Options • Affordable Housing.
Light refreshments will be served.
MANICURES WITH CHRISTY HAYES
Tuesdays • Noon-3pm
Call 456-9062 to make
an appointment.
Christy owned and
operated two salons
in Marin County for
20 years. Now she’s
volunteering at
Whistlestop once a
week to provide this
delightful service to us
free of charge!
Weight Lifting for Older Adults
Taking Care of Yourself is the Right Thing to Do
Friday, Oct. 26 • 1:30-2:30pm
Pre-registration: 456-9062
Walter Shine has the expertise you need to succeed
erience.
with over 20 years experience.
aining,
He excels in strength training,
eloping
with emphasis on developing
g and
the core, body sculpting
weight management.
He assists in the
recovery of all health
challenges.
Transportation Numbers
Marin Access Call Center: 454-0902
Get Qualified to Ride: 456-9062, x106
[email protected]
Cancel a Ride: 457-4630
STAR Volunteer Driving: 454-0969
whistlestop.org 9
Whistlestop Weekly ACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop
TIME
CLASS
MONDAYS
9–2 PM
9:30–10:30 AM
10–11 AM
10–NOON
11–12:30 PM
11–NOON
2–4 PM
WEDNESDAYS
TUESDAYS
4–5:30 PM
9:15–10:15 AM
10:45–11:45 AM
Noon–3 PM
1–3 PM
2–3:30 PM
2:30–3:30 PM
9–10:15 AM
9–2 PM
10–11:30 AM
10–2 PM
10:30–11:45 AM
10:30–NOON
1–2 PM
2–4 PM
THURSDAYS
9:15–10:15 AM
10–NOON
11–NOON
2–3:30 PM
2–4 PM
2:30–3:30 PM
3–4 PM
FRIDAYS
3–4 PM
11–NOON
1:30–3:30 PM
1:30–3:30 PM
1:30–3:30 PM
2–4 PM
INFO
COST
Relax Chair Massage
Open
Exercise Lamas Qi Gong
Open
Language AM Monday
457-0586
Learn Computer Lab
Open
Language German Social Group Open
Exercise Movement & Music-9/1 456-9062
Language English as a
456-9062
Second Language
Language Citizenship Class
454-0998
$4/8min.
$3/class
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Exercise Whistlesizers
Exercise Cardio Exercise Class
Relax Manicurist
Language Learn Spanish
Language English Conversation
Exercise Balance Class
$2
Free
Free
Free
Free
$10
Open
Open
Appt. Needed
Open
454-0998
Sugg. Donation
$25
Exercise Tai Chi Qigong
Relax Chair Massage
Support Seniors' Circle
Learn Computer Lab
Support Corazón Latino
Relax Mah Jongg
Language Adv. English Conver.
Language English as a
Second Language
Language Basic English for
Spanish Speakers
Sugg. Donation
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
457-0586
456-9062
$10 or less
$4/8min.
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
457-0586
Free
Exercise Whistlesizers
Relax Knit!!!
Exercise Zumba
Language English Conversation
Learn Rembrance Writing
Exercise Balance Class
Language Basic English for
Spanish Speakers
Open
457-0586
Open
454-0998
Open
Sugg. Donation
457-0586
$2
Free
$2
$6
$5
$10
Free
Exercise Zumba-9/14
Relax Friday Flicks
Support ACASA
Language Practice Spanish
Learn Arts & Crafts w/Vicky
Open
456-9062
Peer Counseling
Open
Oct. 5 & 19
$6
Free
Free
Free
$3
Jackson
Café
Monday-Friday
11:00am-1:30pm
Located in Whistlestop
Active Aging Center
LUNCH MENU
60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICES
Main Entrée
$4.50/$7.25
(+$1 for Seafood Entrées)
Sandwiches
$4.25/$6.25
Soup du Jour
$1.75/$2.25
Hamburger w/Fries
$4.25/$5.25
Salads
$2.50/$4.00
OTHER ITEMS
Tuna Salad Side $1.25
Fresh Fruit
$1.50
Beverages
$1.00
Desserts
$2.00
For a complete list of all classes, visit whistlestop.org
The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.
10
Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
b y R I C H A R D PAV E K
PHOTOS © RICHARD PAVEK
The Bird's Side OF MARIN
Food Fight or
Food Delivery?
When I emailed this photo to
my weekly bird list, I titled it
Fresh Caught and Delivered.
One viewer countered with:
“Food Fight?” No, not in this case.
When birds fight over food, they are aggressive
and there is little question. Gulls are notorious
for food fights, screeching, trying to pull the prey
(which may be a donut or leftover chicken wing)
from each other’s beaks or pouncing at the same
time on a starfish while hurling threatening
insults at each other. Crows are notorious foodrobbers, often waiting until another bird captures its dinner and then trying to steal it from
the other bird’s beak. Why do it yourself when
you can steal it, seems to be their motto.
Provider birds are another lot altogether, and
it is quite evident in their gentle behavior and
in the feeding birds’ responses; whether nesting
mothers or young chicks, the begging sound in
their calls is unmistakable. In this photo you
can see the gratitude in the demeanor of the
bird being fed.
The bird being fed is a juvenile Elegant Tern.
As to the feeder, it is hard to tell for sure because adult male and female Terns look alike,
but most likely it is the father, since dads do
most of the feeding in the Tern world – as in
most of the bird world.
Every weekend I email a special bird photo to
Express readers. If you’d like something nice to
look at amidst the junk in your Inbox, ask me
at [email protected] ✦
‘Til next month, Richard
whistlestop.org 11
MARIANNE YORK
Multicultural NEWS
by VICKY VOICEHOWSKY and
SANDRA JIMENEZ
Art is for the Soul
E
very culture has its art. Art is infectious
and is meant to be shared. At Whistlestop,
this happens every day in some form.
Twice a month, the Multicultural Department holds a very popular Arts & Crafts class.
From paper and fabric crafts to jewelry and
decoupage techniques, an average of 15 older
adults from more than 10 different cultures
come together and share two hours of creativity. They diligently focus on the project at hand
while music from all around the world plays in
the background.
Our Knitting group is also known as “El
Club de las Arañas” (the Spiders Club). Although they are scheduled to meet weekly,
these knitters come every day and knit in the
lounge area of Whistlestop. Not only do they
exchange their knitting and crochet techniques, but also their experience, strengths
and hopes with each other. Paula Necochea,
one of the regular knitters and mother of 10
grown children, says: “I knit because I just
October is Fall Prevention Month
Shouldn’t it be Every Month? (Or every day?)
By DINA GRIFFITH, Marin General Hospital
T
he risk of falling is always possible, so what
can we do to minimize this common, but
dangerous risk? We have all heard how
important it is to stay active. Great classes are
available through Whistlestop, the YMCA, 24 HR
Fitness, the JCC, and other Community Centers. Additionally, magazines, online tips, videos,
DVDs and TV can be great resources. Sit and Be
Fit programs can be used to help you find what
works for you. Maintaining balance, strength and
flexibility is your best defense.
Multiple medications — more than four — can
be a source of increased risk. Talk to your doctor or favorite pharmacist about safely reducing
what you take. Medications taken incorrectly can
increase feelings of vertigo or lightheadedness.
12
Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
Marina Rodriguez, Vicky Voicehowsky, and Paula Necochea enjoy
making art together.
love the peace that it brings me.” Another
popular class is the jewelry workshop. Maria
Barsesat, local bead artist of Beads of Marin
in Mill Valley, came to show our participants
how to make some modern and chic jewelry on
their own.
Whatever your artistic interests, we hope that
you come to Whistlestop and check out what’s
crafting, knitting, or beading. You can find
many of these handmade items for sale in our
Gift Shop case (just in time for the holidays). ✦
For more information on classes and dates,
please call Vicky Voicehowsky at 457-0586.
If you have Orthostatic Hypotension, where
moving from one position to another makes you
light-headed, change each position slowly. Sit on
the edge of the bed until you feel ready to get up.
Give your body a chance to accommodate changes
— pump your feet, march your legs a little, or
squeeze your fists a few times to get your blood
moving before you stand. Once up, do the same.
In the bathroom use non-skid mats in the tub,
switch to a tub bench and hand-held showerhead,
install secure grab bars, and remove throw rugs
as safety solutions.
Plan for scheduled toilet breaks, even using
a timer for reminders, could be helpful. Make
sure you get plenty of liquids for the first part of
the day, and none after dinner to reduce urgencies in the middle of the night.
Dina Griffith will be at Whistlestop on October 17, from 12:30-1:30pm to talk about fall
prevention. Sign-up 456-9062. ✦
Re-Purpose with Creativity
By TERRY SCUSSEL
A
fter many years as a corporate executive, it was time for me to re-purpose
with creativity and advocacy. Both my
lifelong passion for photography and my 25year advocacy for my daughter’s rights and
resources as a person with disabilities were
natural evolutions.
Currently, I make a living as a management
consultant with a focus on non-profit management, paratransit transportation, document
management, and as a photographic artist.
I also serve on several Marin County based
non-profit boards supporting older adults and
people with disabilities, including Whistlestop,
Marin Ventures and Public Authority In-Home
Supportive Services of Marin County. I am also
the Board sponsor and have judged the Whistlestop Photography Contest since its inception
four years ago.
I have been a photographer my entire life,
which was started when my dad gave me a Leica
camera that he had bought the year of my and
my twin sister’s birth in 1948. While the Leica
is now safely secure in a vault, I have moved
through many film cameras and many generations of Canon digital cameras. I have studied
the work of the masters from the mid-20th
century and worked with many of today’s professionals and advanced amateurs to hone my craft.
Today, being a photographer is not only understanding composition, lighting, the camera, and
photographic technicalities, but also requires
building skills in post processing with the various software applications available.
A good day in my creative world is getting
up early to catch the good light or catching
the twilight, and finding an image to shoot
from a different perspective. The image above
(Eiffel Beacon) was shot on a stormy night. A
small umbrella protected the camera while we
waited for the light to be just right. (Canon 5D
Mk II, f/4.5, 40mm, 0.8 sec ISO 200, No Flash,
Tripod).
The black and white photo (Palouse Cloud
View) was shot in The Palouse (Eastern Washington State). I was completely taken by the
visual of the clouds through the roof beams.
The Palouse is so photogenic; it is absolutely
never ending. We shot from dawn to dusk every
day for a week. The photo shows well in color,
however, the contrast of the black and white
image shows the best. (Canon 5D Mk II, f/11,
80mm, 1/200 sec, ISO 400, No Flash, Tripod).
To see more of my photography, visit
www.scusselphotography.com. ✦
Scussel is vice president of the Whistlestop Board
of Directors. His subjects include the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific coastal areas, Western deserts
and mountains, urban street photography, night
photography, European locales and much more.
whistlestop.org 13
Grand MOM
by AUDREY METTEL FIXMER
Keep On
Keeping On
“I
can’t do what I used to do.”
How many times have we said or heard
those words? It’s such a common refrain
among people in their 60’s or older. Early on it
may be spoken with a tinge of surprise, but often (God forbid) with a whine. How do we avoid
that stage? We do something else. Or we do the
same thing in a different way. We adapt. But
we keep on doing something.
It was when my husband was in a nursing
home for three years that I decided to do everything I could to avoid that life of rocking chairs
and walkers. I will live alone (with help), keep
active in my church and women’s clubs (even if I
must share rides), and keep on challenging my
brain with bridge games and computers. God
willing, I will “die with my boots on” as they
said in the old Wild West.
You know that line from the Bible, “Pride
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14
Whistlestop Express
OCTOBER 2012
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goeth before the fall?” Those words take on a
whole new meaning when we age. Knowing
that our bones are brittle and a fall can cost
us our independence, we learn to swallow that
pride and use a cane when our balance might
be a little off. Later on, we learn the wonderful security we can enjoy with a walker. And
wheelchairs? Great invention! I will be boarding one in a few hours at the airport. Relieved
that I don’t have to struggle with my carry-on
bag, walking miles (it seems) down the long
concourse to my gate. The airlines will have
another one waiting for me at my destination
in New Jersey, and my son will be there to pick
me up at baggage. At 84, I can still travel alone.
What a great world we live in!
I have a friend my age, who, like me, has
shrunk several inches and now walks with a
cane. She holds her head high and steps confidently with an air of pride. One would think
that cane was actually a royal scepter. She commands respect.
It does seem that our attitude toward aging,
a cheerful acceptance of not being able to “do
what we did before,” is the clue to a happy old
age. I will try to remember that when every
bone is aching. ✦
Easy Ways to
SUPPORT TO WHISTLESTOP
1. My Broker Donates can make sure your next
property sale can boost the quality of life for Marin’s
older adults. My Broker Donates connects you
with the best-in-market realtors who will donate
15% of their referral fee to Whistlestop. You choose
the agent. Buy or sell a home, generate a sizable
donation. Go to www.mybrokerdonates.com for
more information.
2. Good Search – simply go to GoodSearch.com and
when you search the internet using their search
engine, Whistlestop gets a donation! GoodSearch
is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its
revenue to the charities and schools designated by
its users. It’s a simple and compelling concept. You
use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other
search engine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!,
you get proven search results. The money
GoodSearch donates to your cause comes
from its advertisers — the users and the
organizations do not spend a dime!
Ann Brebner is Heart of Restored Rafael Theatre,
Now the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center
F
ilmgoers who enjoy foreign and
independent movies at the Christopher
B. Smith Rafael Film Center probably
would find it hard to imagine that back in the
1990s, mushrooms were coming out of the walls
of the abandoned building.
But Ann Brebner of San Rafael remembers.
“I thought they looked very poisonous.” Ann is
credited with reviving the old theater, which
started showing movies in 1918 and partially
burned in 1936. The theatre re-opened in 1937,
but after an earthquake, an inspection revealed
that the building did not conform to state earthquake-proof standards. It closed again.
That’s when Ann, a life-long movie and live
theater lover and patron, stepped up. She
headed up a community group that started
working on fundraising to restore the place to
its art deco grandeur. She and the committee
were successful, and the Rafael Theatre reopened in April 1999. The three-screen theatre
is now named after Christopher B. Smith, who
Ann says was “a major, major donor.”
Ann, who is 89 years old, has the energy of a
person half her age. She has been involved with
theater all of her life, as an actor in the early
years and later as a casting director, director and
WORD SEARCH
writer for both films
and plays. Currently, she is president of the board
of the theatre. She
recently directed a
play titled Our Good
Country, and she
says she would not
know what to do
with herself without
the theater. She also
Ann Brebner
is a counselor in the
HOPE program for
older adults and is on the committee that remodeled a room next to the theatre that will be used
for receptions, parties and other events.
Her main passion today is focused on youth,
however. She is very active in the California
Film Institute’s education program. “Kids are
taught by experts how to make films about
their lives.” She said, “It is very therapeutic.
They come to the theater and are there all day
several times a week learning from people like
Edward James Olmos on how to make films.”
The short films are then shown before the
regular-length movies at the theatre. ✦
Answers on page 7
whistlestop.org 15
Whistlestop
E PRESS
Marin Senior Coordinating Council
930 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901-3325
Whistlestop.org
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